Inexpensive gifts CAN be meaningful, in fact, they are often more meaningful since they are often made by the giver. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite inexpensive Christmas gifts that cost a dollar or less to make.
For many years our family lived at or below the poverty level. Carl, my husband, was in school (university and Seminary) for the first ten years of our marriage.Then from 2008-2012 Carl, who is our main breadwinner, didn’t have a full-time job; he worked several part-time jobs concurrently.
Now, I don’t say this so you can feel sorry for us; these were amazing years. In fact, we wrote a book about our four year unemployment season and how we actually thrived during it.
I’m telling you this because I really want to give you perspective for this post. There were many years when $5 might have well have been $500. We just didn’t have it.
We could have just opted out of Christmas and our family would have totally understood. We have a really great family like that. But we want our children to be givers and not just receivers and we wanted them to see their parents be givers and not just receivers. So we had to get creative.
I wonder how many people opt out of Christmas because they don’t have any extra money? It makes me sad because our focus on gift giving has gotten way off track.
So, I went hunting for gifts that could be made for a dollar or less. For some of these things you might need tools or need to buy something that will make more than one item. But, for the most part, each item is made with supplies that cost less than a dollar.
One year our older daughter made painted little wood signs for everyone. This one is mine. She used acrylic paint, thin craft plywood and tulle ribbon.
This wasn’t a gift but I think it would make a nice gift. This is what my daughter hangs her earrings and necklaces on; a thrifted frame with chicken wire attached to the back (she used a staple gun) and a wire across the bottom for necklaces. You could also use a piece of burlap instead of chicken wire.
I just love this sign. I made them for each couple in our family a couple of years ago after seeing this idea for a JOY sign from An Oregon Cottage. I just used scrapbooking paper and printed out the letters on our computer. I got the frames from the thrift store and spray painted them.
Inexpensive Christmas Gifts that cost $1 or less
Inexpensive Christmas gifts can also be meaningful! Use this this to get idea for meaningful gifts that cost a dollar or less.
Silhouettes {a tutorial for a fun and inexpensive Christmas gift}
Making silhouettes is probably my favorite gift to make for parents and grandparents. They are always appreciated and are easy to make. Learn how to make silhouettes in with this easy tutorial.
Make Your Own Pick Up Sticks (plus game instructions)
Pick up sticks is a classic game that's fun for all ages. Learn how to make pick up sticks with this easy, step by step tutorial.
Pink Lemonade Herbal Bath Fizzy
Everyone deserves a long, soaking bath occasionally. Make this Pink Lemonade Herbal Bath Fizzy to treat your friends and family to an at home spa experience.
Fingerprint Art Bookmarks
Fingerprint art bookmarks are a great gift for little ones to make for their favorite big people. My children loved making these when they were little and were excited about having a gift they made to give to others.
Finger Twister...with game instructions
Finger twister is a tabletop take on the classic full body game. Learn how to make and play finger twister in this step by step tutorial.
Making Bath Bombs – Lessons from a Beginner
Bath bombs make a great gift and are easy to make. These tips for making bath bombs will help you make bath bombs batch after batch.
a little cozy goes a long way (and a hand warmer DIY)
Handwarmers are a welcome gift during the winter months and are a great way to use up fabric scraps.
Quick and Easy Burlap Coasters
Burlap coasters make a fun and unique gift. Use scraps or burlap ribbon that's been bought on sale.
The Leather Cuff tutorial
If you have access to inexpensive leather or leather scraps, leather cuffs make a fun gift for men or women.
Make a Natural Car Air Freshener
A set of natural air fresheners for the car is a great gift for almost anyone - after all, who doesn't want a great smelling car?
Homemade Holidays – Birdseed Ornaments
Birdseed ornaments are a fun gift for a bird lover of any age! You can make a lot of these with just a few ingredients.
Linen Bread Bags: The Trick to Store Homemade Bread Longer
I love these homemade bread bags. They're perfect for storing homemade bread and keeping it fresh longer.
Farm House Washcloth Crochet Pattern
If you crochet, handmade wash cloths are a good way to use your skill to bless others. I've had a couple of friends crochet washcloths for me and I love them so very much.
How to Make Homemade Extracts - Vanilla, Lemon and Almond
Gifts for the pantry are always welcome and extracts are especially welcome since they're quite expensive to buy.
Recipe Ring Gift Idea
This is such a great idea for someone who is just learning to cook or if you have family heirloom recipes you want to pass down to the next generation.
Mason Jar Cozies {Hello Summer}
Mason jars can be used for hot or cold drinks and I often wish I had a cozy for them. I bet other people do too! This is a perfect craft to use up fabric scraps.
Felt Crayon Holder
Felt is very inexpensive and can be sewn with a machine or by hand. You can make this crayon holder in no time at all.
Simple and cute button bookmarks
Break out the button jar and embellish colored paper clips for a unique gift. This is a good gift for a child to make with just a bit of supervision.
Dollar Store Craft {Neon Wood Painted Earrings}
These earrings were made with dollar store earrings, but you could use earring hooks and wooden beads from the jewelry section of your local craft store to make them.
You can find more gifts that cost a little more than a dollar on our Handmade Christmas page.
A quick internet search will turn up some really amazing art made from pallets – everything from Welcome signs to tables. Free pallets are everywhere, just ask before taking one.
If you have a drill press consider making a cribbage board. My son made these one year from a branch from a tree that needed to be cut down.
Homemade jams and jellies also make great, inexpensive Christmas gifts. If you need help with edible gift ideas you might consider Gift It From Scratch ebook. It’s full of great recipes and fun (and frugal) gift giving ideas.
If you are struggling financially this Christmas, don’t opt out of Christmas and for goodness sake, don’t go into debt buying things that people don’t really need or want. There are so many meaningful, inexpensive Christmas gifts that don’t cost much money that you can give to your loved ones.
Do you have a meaningful, inexpensive Christmas gift idea to share? Please leave a comment telling us about it. Feel free to leave a link to a tutorial.
Rhonda says
December 5, 2015 at 9:25 amWhat an awesome post. Thank you for the direction and focus. Love you so dearly, Angi.
Angi Schneider says
December 6, 2015 at 6:02 pmThanks so much Rhonda! I love this time of year and it makes me so sad to see people missing out because they think they have to spend, spend, spend.
Kelli says
December 6, 2015 at 7:29 pmIt was really inspirational to read about your financial struggles in terms of making meaningful, yet inexpensive, gifts as a way of being a good model for your kids. Being a “getter” often comes naturally but teaching kids to be givers regardless of circumstance changes them for the better. What you shared really struck a chord with me and I wanted to thank you for disclosing that personal bit of information on your blog!
Angi Schneider says
December 6, 2015 at 10:28 pmWow, thank you, Kelli. Your sweet words have really made my day. I really believe that children want to be givers, they just need to be allowed to do so.
Jen Keith says
December 8, 2015 at 9:31 pmTruly a fantastic post! This is the best one I’ve seen for homemade gifts because it’s great for all age levels and they are really good gifts. Thanks.
Angi Schneider says
December 9, 2015 at 7:44 amThanks Jen!
Sandra Abercrombie says
August 19, 2017 at 6:36 pmI know it is only August but I am looking forward to the Christmas season, but I am worried also. This is my first year of retirement. I have enough to pay my bills and live comfortable but not a lot of extra. So I am worried about what I am going to do about Christmas gifts… This post has me thinking….. Thank you!
Angi Schneider says
August 20, 2017 at 6:31 pmSandra, I totally understand and I’m glad this post helped you. Truly, I think we make gift giving a lot more complicated than it needs to be. I know your family and friends will feel your love come through with any gift you give them.
Kristi Stone says
December 8, 2018 at 8:13 amI love this! I’m thinking that I will be making candles and soap for sure in 2019 to give for Christmas, and perhaps some crocheted washcloths to go with. I love your ideas so much, though, that I will be adding a few to the gift box, and perhaps wrap in kraft paper with nice ribbon, and a sprig of pine from our trees. There’s really not a lot at the store that people don’t seem to already buy for themselves, or the less expensive counterparts are not the model receivers want, etc. Thanks for these ideas! (coming here from your newsletter)
Angi Schneider says
December 9, 2018 at 2:28 pmExactly! We live in a culture of such abundance and honestly people just buy what they want when they want or need it. I’m finding that people really appreciate more simple gifts that don’t add clutter to their lives. I’m hoping to learn to make soap soon. I have all the stuff, just haven’t done it. I even grew extra luffa this year thinking I would make soap with luffa in it for gifts. Good thing they don’t go bad. I hope you have a wonderfully simple Christmas and thanks for being a newsletter subscriber.